All the million $$ salaried Ministers cannot find the solutions for a small land mass like SINGAPORE?????
Transportation of workers over long distances requiring MRT/buses occur because the work place is too far from the residence.
NOW if the worker's residence can be as near as possible to the work place, the need to use MRT/SBS does not arise and the surging crowd disappears. But, does the PAP want to really solve this problem of overcrowding (translates into profits for their GLC/GIC pockets)? If the PAP is truly concerned for the welfare of the people, then their objective for running public services should not be for PROFIT at all. In fact, all profits generated from the GLC/GIC should not go into a non-transparent "RESERVE" for LKY's eyes only. All generated profits should go back to the STATE coffers to be spent maintance and improvements or even lowering of fares, only 10% of profits should be ploughed back for that 'rainy' day with a maximum CAP on reserves not exceeding 1 yrs operating costs.
One way is to DECENTRALISE the CBD, with all the online, WIFI etc etc. There is no need for all the law firms, banks, business houses and govt depts to be in the CBD.
For factories, they can incorporate dormitories for singles within their factories and special family units with creche/childcare services for newly married couples. Or the factory can buy up entire nearby HDB blocks to house all their employees who have the option of renting the HDB flats or lease them from the factories concerned. When they quit the company, they have to sell the flats back to the factory at the stipulated prices to prevent escalating prices of HDB flats (that is currently the case) that eat up all their CPF leaving almost nothing for retirement.